Slideshow in progress

(October 18) It's 7p and we're at the Terrados campsite next to the Tarn at Les Vignes. The gorge is amazing; we were wide-eyed the entire drive in, marveling at all the unclimbed limestone on the right side! The bolted stuff is on the left, and we drove to each and every wall to see. Grey and brown limestone, a cave, overhangs, tall cliffs, hidden cliffs! We can't wait!

We left Vorra yesterday and slept overnight at Montceau-les-Mines. Our first French meal was at... an American-style restaurant! We were just really hungry and every restaurant we visited was expensive. So there we were at the Buffalo Grill, with my salade Lyonnaise (too much dressing, ick) and Frank with his "Bison Burger", sharing pommes frites (French fries). It was too strange.

On the way down passed the very wide, very pretty Loire valley. I snapped a photo of the landmark where Vercingetorix supposedly surrendered to Julius Caesar, somewhere around Alesia. It's funny how some of the French history I know comes directly from all those Asterix comics I read!

(October 20) We climbed yesterday and today. This trip is more a reconnaisance than a time for projects: our goal is to find the good areas and the good routes, so that when we return we'll know where to go. There are over 30 sectors here, so we've scouted the ones that look promising, and the routes are good. They're not so runout; it may be the fact that we're used to the bolting in the Frankenjura.

(October 21) We're in Millau, on a rest day. We bought the Tarn guidebook, which the very helpful lady at the tourist office said was quite popular, as the Petzl Roc Trip happens in the gorge every two years... (Must make a note NOT to be there in July, can you imagine the crowds everywhere?)

We were in need of groceries so as we tried to get our bearings, a bearded man carrying his freshly-baked baguettes (smelled wonderful) overheard us and asked us what we were looking for. We told him the supermarché and he offered to take us with him, as he was going there himself. He explained that the market would close just after midday, and we probably wouldn't make it in time. So we followed le Monsieur into one of the public garages, got into his shiny black Skoda with its tan leather seats, and chatted while he drove to the market across the river. He confirmed that Millau was pronounced "mee-yo" by the locals, but that every form of pronunciation was acceptable. He expressed surprise and amusement when I explained that we were here in Europe for two years, not working, just climbing the best stuff around. At that point we arrived at the market and so we got out and thanked Monsieur Le Skoda profusely. We were so surprised by such kindness and generosity! I'm sure tonight he has a good little story to tell over dinner...

We also walked up to Le Rozier. It was deserted, maybe we saw a handful of people, all tourists like us. The locals were the smart ones, staying indoors on a cold and windy day! It was nice to just walk around and see the old houses, catch the light (pictures for Frank) and the cliffs above the Jonte. I do so love that slow countryside feel.

Links:
◊ Via Dooce, this blog about a coyote being raised in Wyoming by a woman who found him on her doorstep. Great pictures.
◊ I was impressed with Dean Karnazes' "voice" in his autobiography that I read last year; here's an interview with him on Chow.
◊ Make my logo bigger! I'm sure every designer has had this experience... and every client, too.
◊ The really cool shopping basket that I've always wanted! Germans bring their own bags for grocery shopping, and we use basic (boooring) cloth bags. Frank's mom uses a traditional wicker basket, but I'm more of the modern girl.